'No," Nathan exclaimed. "I am not ready to get out of bed, not ready to face the outside world yet."

"Nathan, we have already missed breakfast, it's almost ten o'clock, you need to get up!"

"Everyone knows we are on holidays," he murmured. Who would blame him for never wanting to leave the bed or room where his beautiful wife was. Hiding his smile, he thought better of saying the words aloud, Elizabeth wouldn't like him to point this out, and he didn't want to upset her.

"That doesn't mean we can lounge in bed all day!" she exclaimed.

"I believe it was you who …mghghgh" he laughed as she covered his mouth, stopping his words.

"Hush, Constable Grant," she ordered, her eyes bright with laughter. "It may well have been me who…but now it's time to get up." Elizabeth evaded her husband's attempts to draw her back towards him and jumped out of bed. "We need fresh air, Nathan, we have been locked in this room since our room service dinner last night."

Nathan let out a deep sigh, as he rolled over and out of bed. "The only reason I am getting out of bed is because I do want to ride out to the Stewart Ranch and look at a horse for you, Gabe tells me she is the best breeder around."

Elizabeth was excited to see if Tess had a suitable horse too, it wasn't something they planned to do on the trip, but when Gabriel suggested it, they realised it was too good an opportunity to miss. Gabriel had ridden out to see Tess when they had been on their picnic the day before and she was agreeable to them coming to look at the horses she had available. Gabriel had offered to accompany them after lunch, if they could be ready by one o clock.

Despite her words of earlier, Elizabeth and Nathan didn't rush to get ready, they were too late for breakfast and too early for lunch. Elizabeth wondered if she would have time to talk to Maggie, to ask her opinion on Dr Pearce, and his treatment methods.

As they walked downstairs into the foyer of the Hotel Elizabeth looked around, smiling at Grace who was bustling around setting up tables for the lunch time crowds.

"Are you joining us for lunch today?" Grace asked politely, not mentioning their missed breakfast, "I can save you a table."

"That would be lovely," Elizabeth replied, smiling back at the young woman. "We are going to get some fresh air before we come back."

Stepping outside the Hotel, Elizabeth looked around. Gabriel was standing outside the Mountie office, leaning on the Verandah post surveying the Town. Gabriel glanced over at the two of them and raised his coffee cup in greeting. Down the Boardwalk, from where Nathan and Elizabeth stood, Maggie stepped outside of the Infirmary and raised her hand in greeting to the couple.

"Meet you back here in thirty minutes for lunch?" Nathan suggested with a smile, noticing the look of yearning on Elizabeth's face. He knew she wanted to talk to the Nurse about Dr Pearce, and he couldn't help wanting to catch up with Gabe regarding the robberies.

"Would you mind?" Elizabeth said hopefully, glad Nathan understood her desire to speak to Maggie.

"Of course not, I'm interested in hearing what she has to say, I am tempted to go with you, but I need to talk to Gabe too." Nathan knew he could trust Elizabeth to find out the information they needed.

With a quick kiss on his cheek, Elizabeth hurried toward Maggie, returning the women's greeting.

Nathan watched his wife walk away, wondering if it was silly that he missed her the moment she left his side. Once Elizabeth reached Maggie and they entered into the Infirmary, he headed across the road to speak to Gabe.

"Late start this morning?" Gabe teased Nathan, pleased to see a rosiness in his friend's cheeks, despite the eye roll he got from him.

"Is there more coffee, Kinslow?" Nathan said, walking past him and into the Mountie office, choosing to ignore his comments.

"Help yourself, Nathan," Gabe offered generously, as he watched Nathan do just that. "Is everything all right with Elizabeth, I saw her go to the Infirmary?"

Nathan explained where she was going and why, having already filled Gabe in regarding Dr Pearce and his possible upcoming trip to Coal Valley to see Colleen. Gabe had asked many questions at the time, most of which Nathan couldn't answer. Until the doctor arrived and examined his sister, all of their questions would remain unanswered. At least Elizabeth could ask Maggie to do some checking into Dr Pearce and his reputation, if she didn't mind, and could ask about the risks of the type of treatment he might offer.

"Any more thefts reported?" Nathan asked, knowing Gabe had planned to do his rounds early so he could go with them to see Tess. He wondered if the criminal or criminals were still around Brookfield, hoping they weren't but also hoping they weren't heading to Coal Valley either. He hoped Gabe would apprehend them and they got the punishment they deserved.

"Just the one report of missing food, half a loaf of bread, some butter, and rabbit stew." Gabriel. "After the initial report of missing clothes, all the other items have been food and some personal items. Even when valuables have been there for the taking, the thief leaves them behind." Gabe should his head and shrugged, "I don't know who they are or why they are hanging around here? Why wouldn't they move on, surely, they must be worried about getting caught.'

Nathan frowned as he listened to Gabe, "I know you won't allow me to go on rounds with you again, but we can keep an eye out on the way to the Stewart Ranch, and on the way back we can take a different route." Nathan tilted his head to the side and asked, "they still haven't stolen anything from Town, have they?'

"Nothing reported yet," Gabe replied. "I'll keep my ears open, and widen the area I cover during my rounds, hoping I notice something out of the ordinary." Gabe hesitated and then said, "I have asked Sam Tremblay to keep his eyes open when he is out prospecting, he moves around a lot so may see something I don't."

"How did it feel to have to ask Sam for help?" Nathan asked, with a grin, knowing his friend would have hated it.

Gabe grimaced, his lips twisting in a sad smile, "Terrible," he admitted before laughing at himself. "Does that make me a bad person?"

"Of course not, it makes you human," Nathan said. "I would hate to have to ask my greatest rival for a favour," his smile teasing. He knew Sam was not a rival for Lillian's affections, Elizabeth had told him all about the conversation she had with Lillian. Had he forgotten to mention that to Gabe?

"We are not rivals!" Gabe exclaimed.

"He is until you speak to Lillian, Gabriel," Elizabeth said from the doorway, having pushed the half open door wide. "You should really think about closing the door when you are having these types of conversations, your voice carries outside."

Gabriel flushed red and heard Nathan snicker. "Thank you for the tip, Elizabeth," he said, stepping around her to close the door none to gently.

Nathan stepped toward his wife, smiling at her teasing, "you were quick?"

"Maggie had to attend to a patient," she explained. "And don't think you are off the hook, I realise now I should have told Gabriel about my discussion with Lillian."

"There never seemed to be a good time to bring it up," he explained lamely. He wasn't lying to her, her really hadn't known how to bring it up.

Shaking her head at him she said, "luckily for you, Maggie having a patient worked out well, this way you can ask the questions with me." Looking toward Gabriel she said, "would you like to join us for lunch too, and while we wait you can tell me what you're going to do about Lillian?"

Nathan laughed at the pained expression on Gabe's face at his wife's words before taking pity on him, "Elizabeth, maybe you should leave him alone."

"If I leave him alone, poor Lillian will never learn how Gabriel feels about her," she retorted. Smiling sweetly at Gabriel she said, "I really do think it's time to tell her, I think she is starting to doubt herself Gabriel, doubt that her feelings will ever be returned."

"Her feelings?" Gabriel asked hopefully, "you really talked to her about this." He had half hoped Elizabeth and Nathan had been teasing him when they said they had discussed him with Lillian.

"Yes, I did, but it's not me she wants to hear from Gabriel, it's you."

"And what did she say about Sam Tremblay?" Nathan asked, knowing exactly what Lillian had said.

Elizabeth frowned at him, and then swatted his arm, "stop teasing him, Nathan. You know Lillian considers Sam a friend. A nice man, but only a friend."

Gabriel's face lit up at her words. Elizabeth laughed as he let out a deep breath and some of the tension in his shoulders eased.

"We could always call in on the way home from the Stewarts?" Elizabeth suggested, "I am sure Nathan, and I could think of something to distract the children and Mrs Winters long enough for a conversation."


Elizabeth and Nathan decided to take the wagon out to the Stewart Ranch, allowing them to sit together instead of on separate horses. It also meant they could take some supplies out to the Orphanage on the return trip. Elizabeth had purchased some treats from the Hotel at lunchtime and had a basket of art supplies from the Mercantile for the children. Joe had been kind enough to give her a discount on some sketch books and pencils for the children. Elizabeth sensed he would like to do more to support the Orphanage, but Lillian and Grace were too proud to allow it. She was happy to be able to help Lillian and Grace with supplies but would also use them as the distraction she had promised Gabriel. Elizabeth turned her head to search for Gabriel, seeing him riding along the tree line off to their left. He had been checking that area intermittently before returning and riding with them.

"Do you have any preferences in your first horse, Elizabeth? Colour for example?" Nathan asked. He knew she had never owned a horse, and there wasn't always much choice available from the horses she borrowed from the livery in Coal Valley.

"Not really," she said, returning her attention to her husband and leaning her head against his shoulder, "and this isn't only my first horse, it's my first pet."

"Really?" Nathan asked, incredulous, "you never had a pet as a child?"

"No, my mother always worried we would get dirty if we played with a dog and she is allergic to cats. None of us wanted a bird, so…" she explained, allowing her voice to trail off.

"Well, then this horse has a lot to make up for, so we need to pick the right one. If you don't feel the connection between yourself and the horse, we can wait and continue to look until you find the right one, there is no rush to do this." Nathan knew from Gabe that Tess wouldn't sell them a horse if she didn't think it would be the right mount for Elizabeth. She was particular about the homes her horses went to, unwilling to send them to a home where they wouldn't be treated as she would treat them. Tess might be surly and mean around people, but her animals saw the best side of her.

There was no doubt in Nathan's mind that any horse of Elizabeth's would be treated well, but Tess Stewart had her own ways, and they would need to abide by them.

"I am sure Mrs Stewart will have a horse I will fall in love with; let's hope she approves of me and my choice." Elizabeth admitted she felt a little nervous at being under Tess Stewart's scrutiny. The woman was formidable. Changing the subject, she said, "I'm so glad you were able to talk to Maggie with me at lunch, she may not know Doctor Pearce personally, but she had heard of him at least. Maggie has seen a lot more than many, and knowing she would trust him is enough for me."

"Me too," Nathan replied. "All we have to hope for now is that Colleen felt the same way. It all comes down to whether she is willing to take the risk." Nathan didn't complete his thought to Elizabeth, but he knew, he would do everything in his power to have Colleen try the treatment suggested. Maggie assured them he was no quack, but someone who believed in trying old and new methods. Nothing Dr Pearce did would be harmful, and he wondered how much time Colleen had left if she didn't try something new.


Julie Thatcher lay in bed, tears of humiliation burning in her eyes. Every time she re-lived the moment that Henry Gowan and Doctor Pearce saw her sitting in a puddle of dirty water, filthy and exhausted from the unfamiliar work her cheeks burned and she wanted to cry in shame. What must they think of her. How could she fail so miserably as such a normal task, people cleaned houses every day, she helped Rosemary, and Colleen clean all the time, she wasn't sure what had gone wrong at the Cabin. It hadn't been what she was expecting, there was animal mess and debris, plus dirt everywhere, she had severely underestimated the time it would take to clear it all away.

How on earth had Doctor Pearce arrived so quickly? He should have been days away from Coal Valley. She supposed she would know the answer to that question if she hadn't fled from the Cabin. She had heard Henry calling after her as she ran but hadn't stopped. She had also ignored the visit he made to see her at Colleen's. Julie knew she would have to face Henry eventually, but Doctor Pearce could see Colleen in the Infirmary without her being present, she would happily drop her off and find something else to do.

Julie started at a knock on her door. "I don't wish to be disturbed," she called out haughtily.

"Julie Thatcher, I am not one of the servants in the Thatcher house, this is my house, and I am coming in." Colleen didn't hesitate after speaking, throwing the door open and striding inside. She glanced quickly at Julie before walking to the window and drawing the curtain back, allowing sunshine to flood the room.

"I don't feel well, Colleen. I think I should remain in bed," Julie replied, turning over to face away from her.

"I thought I was the sick one, and you had promised to drive me to the Infirmary to see the Doctor you brought to Town," Colleen said trying to hide her grin as guilt flashed across Julie's face.

"I can't believe I said that to you, I am so sorry, Colleen," Julie gasped before leaping out of bed, and taking Colleen's hand in hers, "please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, and there is nothing to make yourself sick over," Colleen replied smiling. Julie had told her what happened at the Cabin, and Henry Gowan had given her his, less dramatic version when he called in to see if Julie had made it home without incident. Henry had commiserated with Julie, and asked Colleen to pass on his apologies. The cabin had been in worse shape than he had known when he agreed to let her clean it.

"How will I ever face Doctor Pearce or Henry again," Julie asked dejectedly, her face a picture of misery. "What must they think of me?"

"Henry thinks this was all his fault, that he should have arranged help to get the cabin cleaned. As you know he ended up hiring three women to do it and it took them all day." Colleen had explained this to Julie on multiple occasions, but she had not been ready to hear it.

"That doesn't mean Doctor Pearce won't think me a fool," Julie huffed.

"Do you care what Doctor Pearce thinks of you?" Colleen asked, surprised.

"Of course, I care, what woman wouldn't care about being seen in that state," she declared. Julie hoped Colleen hadn't noticed her small hesitation. It was true she would hate anyone to see her in that condition, but when she thought about the handsome Doctor Pearce seeing her like it, it mattered.

"You don't have to come with me Julie, Henry Gowan has offered to collect me for my appointment, so you can stay here and wallow in your misery," Colleen told her.

"No. I promised Nathan and Elizabeth I would be here for you, and I will." Julie stomped over to her closet and started sifting through her clothing, trying to select the perfect dress for her second meeting with Doctor Pearce.

"I think it is me he will be studying Julie," Colleen said, biting her lip to keep from laughing at the intense look on Julie's face as she selected her outfit.

"Yes, I know that, but I am the one who asked him to come to Town, and as such, I feel a sense of obligation to represent us in a proper fashion," Julie said imperiously. Glancing at Colleen, seeing the smile on her face made Julie giggle, "and I need to make a much better second impression, it couldn't be worse than the first one right."

"Well, if you wouldn't mind hurrying, I promised Allie we would have breakfast at the Café before my appointment and she is growing impatient, and hungry," Colleen said as she left Julie to dress.

Robert wiped his mouth before dropping the napkin onto his plate, "that was delicious as always, Henry, and I insist on paying for breakfast before I head to the Infirmary to meet Mrs Parkes."

"That's not necessary," Henry protested.

"It's my way of saying thank you for allowing me to stay with you," Robert said smiling at the older man. "I appreciate it very much; I don't think I would have enjoyed staying at the Saloon more than that first night."

"I appreciated your company and apologise that the Cabin was in much worse condition inside than I anticipated. I had driven past several times, and the outside certainly didn't prepare me for what we found. Or Miss Thatcher either." Henry felt terrible about the cabin, he hadn't realised that one of the windows in the back was broken and animals had gotten inside and made a terrible mess of the place. Julie Thatcher had no chance of cleaning it alone, certainly not when Doctor Pearce arrived so much earlier than expected.

"I look forward to moving in this afternoon, Henry. Not that I don't enjoy your company, but it will be nice to settle in somewhere I can call my own while I am in Town."

Robert and Henry had spent several days together at Henry's home. Robert sensed the man was lonely, but that he was also the type of person to like solitude. The cabin becoming available now was perfect timing for both of them.

Julie and Colleen walked up the stairs before the Infirmary, as they approached the door, they both took a deep breath and stopped.

Julie looked at Colleen and asked, "are you ready? If you need a moment, we can take one."

"I have had too many moments worrying about this Julie, I'm ready," Colleen. "Let's see what your Doctor Pearce has to say."

Julie paused, gathering her courage. When they arrived at the Cafe and learned they had missed Dr Pearce and Henry by only minutes, it seemed fate had stepped in and allowed her to avoid him.

"Please Julie, I don't think I can do this alone." Colleen confided.

"Let's go," Julie declared, a bright smile on her face as she threaded her arms through her freinds; her embarrassment was nothing compared to what Colleen had to face.